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Tim Rodgers Zentokukai President - Kaicho Sensei Tim Rodgers began studying Okinawan Shoreikan Gojuryu Karate in 1957 at the age of 12 under Sensei Benjiko Pusan in Miami, Florida. He attained the rank of Nidan (black belt 2nd degree) by the time he joined the Navy in 1963. While in active duty he served aboard the USS Kittyhawk, and in Viet Nam was attached to the 1st/3rd Marine Group at Da Nang. His duties were diverse, including work as an aviation mechanic, piloting H47 and H34 Bell helicopters, Hueys, and his assignment was flying Cobra helicopter gunships. Subsequently he was stationed in Pensacola, Florida as a helicopter combat tactics instructor, and left the military in late 1968. While in Pensacola he was a member of the Navy karate team, which competed and demonstrated in various cities around the country. Upon returning to Miami, he learned that Sensei Pusan had relocated to northern Florida, but he could not be located. In 1970 he met fellow Karate-ka Mike Daog, who was a black belt in Seibukan Shorin-Ryu under Sensei Edward Takae. After training with Mike Daog for a few months, arrangements were made for Tim Rodgers to meet with Sensei Takae in Tampa, it was at this time that he officially became a student of Sensei Takae and a member of the International Seibukan Karatedo Association (ISKA).

From 1970 until 1996 Sensei Tim Rodgers has run the Miami Seibukan dojo and was the ISKA, North American Branch Vice President from 1993-1996. In 1996 he attained the rank of Godan (black belt 5th degree), left the ISKA, and co-founded the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Zentokukai Karatedo Association with his senior student, Angel Lemus. He now serves as the Association's Kaicho or president. Sensei Rodgers currently holds the rank of Hachidan in the Zentokukai. Sensei Rodgers leads the Zentokukai with the same passion and devotion that he holds for the art of Karate-do. He is dedicated to the preservation of the old ways and keeping the Zentokukai honest and true. Sensei Rodgers' dojo is the Saichiankan in Miami, Florida, which is the Association's Hombu Dojo.